----- Original Message Follows ----- From: Richard A Steenbergen <ras@e-gerbil.net>

Ever notice the only folks happy with the status quo are the few who have already have an intimate knowledge of the ARIN allocation process, and/or have the right political connections to resolve the "issues" that come up when dealing with them?

Try looking at it from an outsider's point of view instead. If you're new to dealing with ARIN, it is not uncommon to find the process is absolutely baffling, frustrating, slow, expensive, and requiring intrusive disclosure just shy of an anal cavity probe.

I am new to personally dealing with ARIN as of 1.5 years ago. I have had to get 5 seperate allocations in that time. I don't find this to be the case at all. They were very helpful and I was diligent in getting the things together necessary for the allocations and in my responses. It felt to me like teamwork rather than me against them. And, no, I didn't have to offer anyone free trips to Hawaii. ;-) scott